Written by

Jay Harvey
jay.harvey@indystar.com

Beethoven and Brahms may speak for themselves in performance, but being extra family-friendly and making concerts affordable is helping to sustain numerous community orchestras in Central Indiana.

All four -- Carmel Symphony Orchestra, Hendricks Symphony Society, Anderson Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra of Indianapolis -- had a scare when the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra went through its contract crisis in September.

No matter how they market themselves and work to forge bonds with their audience, their officials acknowledge that the ISO's health is vital ...